Either being a single mother or battling cancer would be difficult enough. Together, life was a challenge for a Harwich woman.

She had operations in Boston for cancer of the kidneys and a stack of medical bills. Although she was out of work, she was able to keep up with those. But making her car payments became impossible.

The mother needed a car for post-surgical appointments in Boston. The Needy Fund paid one month's car payment for this woman so she could travel for treatment and resume work as soon as she was healthy.

Since 1936, the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund has provided assistance to Cape Codders for a host of immediate, short-term needs, such as food, rent, mortgage payments, utility and heating bills, medical costs and other basic expenses.

The case described above is provided by the Needy Fund on condition of anonymity.

No cash is given to Needy Fund recipients.

Instead, the agency pays vendors through a voucher program.

All contributions will be recognized in the newspaper unless donors request anonymity.

Donations can be made to the Cape Cod Times Needy Fund, P.O. Box 36, Hyannis, MA 02601, or brought to the Cape Cod Times offices at 319 Main St. in Hyannis. Donations, which are tax-deductible, may also be made on the fund's website, www.needyfund.org.

Those needing assistance may contact the Needy Fund at 508-778-5661 or 800-422-1446.